Archive for August 2009
FAQs : Heartworm
Can my dog get heartworm disease?
Yes. Your dog can get heartworm disease, whether he’s an “outside” dog or even if he stays inside most of the time. Dogs get heartworm disease from mosquitoes. It is the female mosquito that bites and transmits the infection. Female mosquitoes are very tiny and can easily slip through cracks around windows, doors or screens. Every dog can be at risk, indoors or out.
Are some dogs more susceptible than others?
Unfortunately, no dog, or breed of dog, is immune to heartworm disease. The mosquito that bites your dog could be carrying this common and deadly parasite. One bite from an infected mosquito is all it takes for your dog to become infected. Read the rest of this entry »
Heartworm Disease
The life cycle of the heartworm begins when an infected dog, carrying tiny immature heartworms (microfilariae) circulating in its blood, is bitten by a mosquito. The mosquito takes in microfilariae (larvae) when it feeds.
During the next two-three weeks, the larvae develop within the mosquito into the infective stage. Read the rest of this entry »
Heart Disease in Dogs
If you are a dog owner, you will probably agree that your pet holds a special place in your heart. But you must remember that keeping your dog’s heart healthy is one of your responsibilities.
“When it comes to heart disease, regular visits to your veterinarian could mean the difference between life and premature death,” says Dr. Joanne Bicknese. “Dog owners may not realize that their pets are susceptible to many forms of heart disease. In most cases, heart disease can be successfully managed with early detection and treatment”.
Introduce Heart Disease in Dogs
Heart disease in dogs, as in people, can be either present at birth or acquired, often developing during middle age. Acquired heart disease is more common, affecting many older dogs. Read the rest of this entry »
Toxoplasmosis
About Toxoplasmosis:
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It is not a new disease, having first been discovered in 1908. Since its discovery, toxoplasmosis has been found in virtually all warm-blooded animals including most pets, livestock, and human beings. Nearly one-third of all adults in the U.S. and in Europe have antibodies to Toxoplasma, which means they have been exposed to this parasite.
How do people become infected with Toxoplasmosis?
There are 3 principal ways Toxoplasma is transmitted:
- Directly from pregnant mother to unborn child when the mother becomes infected with Toxoplasma during pregnancy.
- Consumption and handling of undercooked or raw meat from infected animals.
- Ingestion of food or water or inhalation of dust contaminated with a very resistant form of Toxoplasma called the oocyst (pronounced o-o-cyst) during a period called Stage F. Read the rest of this entry »
Rabies
Facts About Rabies
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is usually transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal.
Prompt and appropriate treatment, after being bitten and before the disease develops, can stop the infection and prevent the disease in people.
Human rabies cases in the United States have occurred after close exposure to a bat without an obvious sign or recollection of a bite.
Not all rabid animals foam at the mouth and appear mad. Infected animals can be very calm and tame. Read the rest of this entry »
Parasites
Internal
Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can make a home inside your pet and rob your animal of vital nutrients, leading to poor appetite, loss of energy, serious anemia, and even death. Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible. Parasite infestation can be controlled and prevented. Your veterinarian can tell you about the extent of the parasite problem in your area.
External Parasites
General Information
From time to time most pets have parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, or mites. It’s simply in the nature of things, parasites being parasites. The pests abound everywhere; therefore, their presence is not a disgraceful reflection on one’s living habits. Read the rest of this entry »
Lyme Disease
I
ntroduce Lyme Disease:
Lyme disease is an infectious disease syndrome spread primarily by a tick no larger than the head of a pin. It is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called a spirochete that is transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of the tick. In people, Lyme disease can appear similar to other diseases such as flu or Alzheimer’s disease. If ntreated, it can lead to joint damage and heart and neurologic complications. In animals, the disease can mimic flu-like symptoms and can lead to joint damage, heart complications and kidney problems. Read the rest of this entry »
Types of Cancer in Pets
Common Types of Cancer in Pets
Skin – Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. All skin tumors should be examined by your veterinarian.Breast – Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your pet between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice for this type of cancer. Read the rest of this entry »
Cancer Treatment
Treatment Process:
Each cancer requires individual care. Your veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to effectively treat cancers. Combination therapy is commonly employed.
Success Rate:
This depends strongly on the type and extent of the cancer as well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
Signs of Cancer in Pets
Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.
Diagnose Cancer:
Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, the physical appearance of the cancer, or the physical signs caused by the cancer. Most cancers, however, will require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation. Read the rest of this entry »